What Causes Bad Breath?
Do you have bad breath that just will not go away? There may be an underlying cause that you need to have checked out. Morning breath is one thing, but having bad breath that will not go away, even after brushing is something else. It may be time to have a talk with your dentist to help determine the underlying cause of your chronic bad breath. While some odors are caused by more benign less serious issues, bad breath may also be the sign of a more serious oral or health condition. Either way, seeing a dentist will help you determine what the cause is and start getting treatment. Below is more information on the possible causes of chronic bad breath.
Possible Causes of Bad Breath
If you have chronic bad breath, there are a number of things that could be the cause of your condition. While many causes are less severe, such as bacteria buildup in the mouth, bad breath can also be caused by more severe medical conditions. Here are some examples:
- Poor daily hygiene: Failing to brush and floss your teeth daily can result in the buildup of plaque, or bacteria, on and in-between the teeth. Food that is stuck between teeth can also cause unpleasant odors. If you have bad breath, you may want to start treating it by evaluating your daily hygiene practices and increasing the frequency of your brushing to after every meal.
- Gum disease: If you have neglected your daily hygiene habits for the past few years, you may have developed gum disease. As gum disease advances, the gums pull away from the teeth creating pockets. These pockets can fill with odor-causing bacteria.
- Dehydration and dry mouth: If you regularly don’t drink enough water, you may not have enough saliva in your mouth to help keep your mouth clean and reduce odor. Saliva is a natural cleaner in the mouth, but you need to drink enough water to produce it.
- Sinus Infections: In addition to the pain and discomfort they cause, sinus and upper respiratory infections can cause bad breath. When the infection moves into your throat, it can cause an unpleasant odor. If you have had several infections recently, this may be the cause of your bad breath.
Treatment Options for Bad Breath
There are many treatment options available to help treat chronic bad breath. To determine the best treatment option, you really need to know the cause of your bad breath. Also, if there is a more serious underlying condition, whether it is oral health, or other, your dentist may help identify this. If they determine the cause is not linked to your oral health, they may refer you to see your primary care doctor immediately. Once your dentist has evaluated your breath and determined its related to your oral health, they will likely have a couple treatment ideas in mind. Some common treatments for bad breath include:
- Treatment of gum disease: A professional cleaning will help remove excess bacteria in the mouth to treat gum disease. If it has been a while since your last cleaning, your dentist may recommend a deep clean.
- Mouth wash & toothpaste: If you can’t get an immediate cleaning scheduled, or if the buildup is advanced, your dentist may recommend toothpaste or mouthwash that contains antibacterial agents to kill bacteria.
- Increase water intake and diet change: Another recommendation your dentist may make is to drink more water and eat less sugar. Both of these steps will help eliminate odor in the mouth.
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